Watch Dogs 2 Creating Profile Data Stuck |verified|

Watch Dogs 2 Stuck on "Creating Profile Data"? Here’s How to Fix It

Few things are as frustrating as buying a new game, installing it, and then being blocked by a loading screen before you even press "Start." For many PC players of Watch Dogs 2, this is a common reality. The game often gets stuck on the initial launch screen with the message "Creating Profile Data."

If your game freezes here, don't worry—you usually don't have a corrupted file or a broken game. The issue is almost exclusively related to Ubisoft’s server communication or local save folder permissions.

Here is a step-by-step guide to fixing the "Creating Profile Data" stuck screen.


The Quick Fix: Uplay Launcher Permissions

The most common reason for this error is that the Uplay (Ubisoft Connect) launcher does not have the necessary permissions to write new files to your hard drive. Because Watch Dogs 2 requires an internet connection to verify your profile on launch, if the launcher hits a permission wall, the game hangs indefinitely.

How to fix it:

  1. Close Uplay and Watch Dogs 2 completely (check your Task Manager to ensure they aren't running in the background).
  2. Locate the Uplay executable on your desktop or in your installation folder.
  3. Right-click the icon and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Compatibility tab.
  5. Under "Settings," check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.
  6. Click Apply and OK.
  7. Launch Uplay and try starting the game again.

Option 2: Reinstall Ubisoft Connect (Not the Game)

The launcher itself often causes the profile hang.

  1. Uninstall Ubisoft Connect (not the game).
  2. Download the latest installer from Ubisoft’s website.
  3. Reinstall the launcher. It will detect your existing Watch Dogs 2 installation automatically.

Conclusion: You are a Hacker Now

The "Creating profile data" error is a rite of passage for Watch Dogs 2 players. While Ubisoft never officially patched this bug, the solutions above have a 99% success rate.

To recap the most likely fix:

One of these steps will finally break the loop. Once you see that new profile data create successfully, you will be dropped into the vibrant, hackable world of San Francisco. Enjoy the view from the top of the Coit Tower—you’ve earned it. watch dogs 2 creating profile data stuck

Did this article help you? If you found another workaround, share it in the comments below to help fellow DedSec members.

: Often, the game is unable to create or write the profile file because it lacks system permissions. Navigate to your game installation folder (usually under .../Steam/steamapps/common/Watch_Dogs 2/bin Right-click WatchDogs2.exe and select Properties Compatibility tab, check Run this program as an administrator Apply and restart the game. Save Path Configuration (Mainstream Fix for Cracks/Repacks) : If you are using a non-standard version of the game, the file often points to a directory it cannot access. folder in your game directory. Locate and open with Notepad. Find the line SavePath=%DEFAULT_CPY_DIR% Change this to a specific local path, such as

SavePath=C:\Users\[YourName]\Documents\My Games\Watch_Dogs 2 Save the file and relaunch. Delete Existing (Corrupted) Save Data

: If you have played before, a corrupted save file might be preventing the profile from loading. Navigate to Watch Dogs 2 Stuck on "Creating Profile Data"

C:/Program Files (x86)/Ubisoft/Ubisoft Game Launcher/savegames/[User ID]/3353 Backup and then the files in this folder. Restart the game to allow it to generate a fresh profile. Network & Security Workarounds

6. Take Ownership of the Documents Folder

Sometimes Windows permissions are scrambled.

Fix #5: Rebuild the GamerProfile.xml File

This file gets corrupted if you alt-tabbed during the initial startup.

  1. Navigate to %Documents%\My Games\Watch_Dogs 2.
  2. Find the file named GamerProfile.xml. Rename it to GamerProfile_OLD.xml.
  3. Launch the game. It will generate a fresh, uncorrupted XML file.

Common Causes

  1. Corrupted save file – The game attempts to generate or load a profile but encounters invalid data.
  2. Save game sync conflicts – Cloud save services (Ubisoft Connect, Steam Cloud) may push a damaged or incompatible save.
  3. Missing or blocked write permissions – The game cannot create the necessary profile folder in Documents\My Games\Watch Dogs 2.
  4. Antivirus or ransomware protection – Real-time scanning can block the game from writing profile data.
  5. Outdated game version or launcher – Known bugs in older builds cause this exact hang.